It’s the time of year when many people start to struggle with their new year’s resolutions. Your gym visits become less frequent, your diet less nutritious, and you forget all about that novel you planned to write. But this doesn’t have to be the case. As long as you are smart about your resolution and make a plan to see it through, you will have everything you need to succeed.

If you have decided you’d like to reduce your alcohol intake, you’re making a smart decision. There are so many good reasons to cut out booze, and it will benefit your life in so many ways. It doesn’t matter whether you are merely reducing your weekly drink count or eradicating alcohol entirely. Your physical and mental health will skyrocket, you’ll save money, and improve your social relationships. In fact, it’s only the beverage industry that will suffer.

But it’s not always as easy as emptying your spirits cupboard and tipping the bottles down the sink. Alcohol can be addictive, and some people find it incredibly difficult to give it up. If you are struggling to cut down on the booze, here are five tips to make your target a lot easier to reach.

Make a Plan

Any goal becomes a lot easier to hit if you create a plan. Work out what you want to achieve from cutting out alcohol, and the steps you will take to get there. By how much do you wish to cut your alcohol intake? How long will it take you to get there? Your exact journey will depend on you, but a thorough plan will make it considerably more achievable.

Spend Less Time Around Alcohol

Avoid temptation by spending less time in places where alcohol is readily available. If you keep large quantities of alcohol in the fridge at all times, it will be harder to limit yourself to one drink a week. Rather than meeting friends and dates in bars, try to arrange get-togethers in alcohol-free venues such as coffee shops and parks.

Find Alcohol-Free Alternatives

If you love the taste of an ice-cold beer or a dry white wine, sometimes you will get that craving. But there are so many low-alcohol or alcohol-free alternatives these days that it’s easy to find a suitable replacement. Experiment with these drinks and find something you enjoy.

Tell Your Loved Ones

When you’re out with your friends and you’re the only one drinking water, it can be easy to succumb to peer pressure. All it takes is one comment from a friend and you’ll be breaking your resolution with a couple of pints. When you begin your resolution, tell your loved ones about your intentions and how serious you are. This way, they will be more likely to support you in your goals and provide motivation when you’re finding it tough.

Create a Money Pot

One of the best things about cutting down on alcohol is the money you save. Every time you order a soft drink instead of wine or skip the six-pack in your grocery shop, put that money saved in a little pot. As this money pile increases in size, so will your motivation to cut out the booze.